Got a medical bill you didn’t expect?
Before you pay, check it. Billing mistakes are common, and the law limits many surprise bills.
Check a bill and get a letter
Before you pay
- Find your plan’s Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for the same visit, in your plan’s app or mail. You should owe no more than its “patient responsibility.”
- Ask for an itemized bill with billing codes. You have a right to one.
- Ask the billing office to hold the bill while you check. Don’t ignore it.
Emergency care and surprise bills
- For emergencies, and for doctors you didn’t choose at an in-network hospital (like anesthesia or ER doctors), the No Surprises Act limits you to your in-network cost.
- Air ambulances are covered by this law; ground ambulances aren’t (some states protect you).
- Help: No Surprises Help Desk, 1-800-985-3059.
If you can’t afford it
- Most hospitals are nonprofits and must offer financial assistance; ask for the application, insured or not.
- Ask about a payment plan with no interest.
- No insurance? Ask for a good-faith estimate before planned care. If the bill is $400 or more over it, you can dispute it.